Eleanor Ho
Boston University Statehouse Program
BOSTON As temperatures fall and positive coronavirus cases rise, advocates are concerned about homelessness in Massachusetts, where shelters remain at a reduced capacity due to the pandemic, and many are anticipating having to turn people away as outside conditions worsen.
Estimates of the size of the Massachusetts homeless population hovers around the 18,000 mark, according to estimates from a 2019 report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Though in previous years Boston has been able to accommodate almost its entire homeless population, organizations are struggling to allow guests to distance and still provide adequate shelter.
BOSTON – As temperatures fall and positive coronavirus cases rise, advocates are raising concerns about homelessness in Massachusetts, where shelters remain at a reduced capacity due to the pandemic, and many are anticipating having to turn people away as outside conditions worsen.
Estimates of the size of the Massachusetts homeless population hovers around the 18,000 mark, according to estimates from a 2019 report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Though in previous years Boston has been able to accommodate almost its entire homeless population, organizations are struggling to allow guests to distance and still provide adequate shelter.
State officials speculated in a recent report that homeless shelters around the state are short a few hundred beds, according to Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance President Joe Finn, leaving many communities scrambling to find space to spare.
Shelters lack space for homeless as winter arrives
Tents set up by homeless under the bridge on the bike path in Northampton. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS
Published: 12/27/2020 11:08:47 PM
BOSTON – As temperatures fall and positive coronavirus cases rise, advocates are raising concerns about homelessness in Massachusetts, where shelters remain at a reduced capacity due to the pandemic, and many are anticipating having to turn people away as outside conditions worsen.
Estimates of the size of the state’s homeless population hovers around the 18,000 mark, according to estimates from a 2019 report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Though in previous years Boston has been able to accommodate almost its entire homeless population, organizations are struggling to allow guests to distance and still provide adequate shelter.